About the Tournament.

The Simcoe County Home Builders’ Association held its first Ice Fishing Tournament in 2006. With the head office for the Association in Barrie and the nearby waterfront (Kempenfelt Bay) why not use our local resources and hold a public Ice Fishing Tournament and raise funds for local charities?

The simple answer was…WHY NOT?

We’ve grown steadily over the years, so in addition to giving out more than $450,000 in prizes to participants both young and old alike, this single event has provided more than $420,000 to local charities for 12 years and running.

Fishing to Win?

How it works.

Registration takes place in groups of 250. The facility in which we serve Breakfast and lunch (South Shore community Centre) only holds this many comfortably

In order to make sure everyone has a chance to have a sit-down breakfast, and hear the Tournament updates, we divide our numbers into groups ho then: register, have breakfast quickly and go onto the ice to select their holes at different times.

The rules.

We’re all about fun and competition during our events – but there are rules to be followed to make sure everyone has a safe day.

Groups.

Registration and breakfast at 7am and on the ice to select holes at 8am

GROUP 2 (Entries 251-500)

Registration and breakfast at 8am and on the ice to select holes at 9am

GROUP 3 (Entries 501-650)

Registration and breakfast at 9am and on the ice to select holes at 10am

GROUP 4 AND DAY-OF REGISTRATIONS (Entries 650+)

Registration and breakfast at 10am and on the ice to select holes at 10:30am

Tournament Rules 2019

Please bring an ice chisel or axe to re-open holes if needed (a cold spell may cause holes to freeze over from 1 to 2 inches)

EVERY PARTICIPANT MUST BRING A CONTAINER (WE SUGGEST A COOLER) LARGE ENOUGH TO CARRY A FISH TO THE WEIGH STATION. DEFINITION OF A COOLER: a container large enough to contain one fish. The participant must be able to carry it to the weigh station. WE DO NOT recommend sharing a cooler.

ELIGIBLE SPECIES: The eligible species are outlined in the “Recreational Fishing Regulations Summary 2018” prepared by the Ministry of Natural Resources

All ice fishing tournament holes will be in rows approximately 30 feet apart.

Official Fishing Tournament Applications for registration will be accepted until February 9th 2019. To qualify for the Early Bird Draw, a Registration Form must be received or postmarked by January 5th, 2019 along with a cheque or money order payable (no cash in mail), or credit card payment to the Simcoe County Home Builders’ Association Post-dated cheques will not be valid until the date on the cheque.

All participants will abide by Ontario Fishing Regulations. A Fishing license is not required due to the Ontario Family Fishing Weekend February 16-18, 2019.

If you leave your hole unattended for a distance of more than 60ft (distance of 2 holes) you have to remove your line from the hole (no exceptions.)

A participant breaking any of the tournament rules and/or any applicable Ontario laws will be disqualified with no refund of entry fee.

Any participant may be disqualified and prosecuted under the Criminal Code of Canada for using fraudulent means to acquire prizes.

There is no minimum age for participants however all participants under the age of 16 must be with a parent or guardian at all times during the tournament.

BAIT: Bait from outside Simcoe County IS NOT PERMITTED. Minnows will be available for purchase at the Tournament site.

The tournament is scheduled for February 16, 2019 from 11am to 2pm(NEW TIME) on Lake Simcoe, in Barrie (on Kempenfelt Bay), at the South Shore Community Centre. In the event of very cold temperatures, before starting time we will announce the tournament will be shortened by one hour and ending at 1:00pm. The distribution of draws and prizes will be advanced by one hour. ** REGISTRATION KITS MAY BE PICKED UP ON Friday February 15th at the South Shore Centre between 10am-3pm to avoid long lines on February 16th** or can be picked up morning of.

Prizes are determined by the heaviest weight and time registered. In the event of a tie, the first fish registered wins. For example, if three 4-pound Northern Pike are the largest fish entered in the tournament, the one registered earliest will take 1st place. The fish entered next will take 2nd and the one registered the latest will take 3rd place. If still tied, the participant having registered for the tournament the earliest will win. All fish are counted in each weight/time category starting form the largest registered and then proceeding down to the smallest.

Each person will be allowed to fish two holes maximum. You may register as many fish as you want, but only the heaviest fish per hole will qualify for a prize.

Only participants who purchase two holes become eligible for two prizes.

To reserve a hole (or two), a participant must fasten a strap beside the hole (or holes.) The other strap goes on the cooler. A hole with a strap on the marking stick is reserved: DO NOT TOUCH! Participants must look after their own hole(s) only. No saving holes for your friends!

Fishing holes will be determined on a first come first served basis. If you arrive first in the fishing area and have chosen a hole, set your strap through the marking stick. Thus you have identified your fishing hole.

If a participant is caught reserving more than two holes (maximum allowance), he/she will be disqualified and so will the participant owning that registration number.

Participants will not be allowed to drill their own holes. All holes will be pre-drilled within the fishing area.

Any participant found to be sharing caught fish as determined by tournament officials, can be disqualified.

All fish entered must be brought to the Judges’ stand on foot immediately and alive in containers (see rule 1) Dead or frozen fish are ineligible. Judges will have the right to verify that fish were legally caught. The judges’ decision is final. Fish may be registered by rightful owner/possessor with his/her strap and a strap on the cooler (exceptions made for the handicapped.) Please bring a container partly filled with water to carry the live fish to the weigh station. This is a catch and release tournament; a cooler (or other such container) and a small sleigh are recommended.

Participants must fish in the area designated for the tournament and will be required to have their strap(s) visible at all times. Strap checks along with cooler inspections will be performed before entering the fishing area.

Every time you enter the fishing area you must enter an inspection gate and your strap(s) should be visible. Only access to fishing grid is through the two inspection gates.

You are responsible for your safety and actions at all times: before, during and after the tournament.

ONLY a clear plastic sheet 6ft by 10ft anchored by posts will be allowed as shelter and must be removed after the event. Sheltering may be on two sides of the hole only or as approved by official. Participants must remain in plain view at all times. Fish huts are not allowed.

Sleeping bags, blankets, coolers, heaters, chairs, depth finders and underwater cameras are permitted in the designated fishing area. Weighted lines without hooks can be used to check depth prior to 10:45am.

Participants will be allowed to change to a different unmarked hole in the contest area. You are allowed to bring as many fishing rods as desired, but cannot use more than one rod per hole at a time.

Participants will not be allowed to carry cans or bottles into the tournament area. Thermos containers are allowed. Please do not litter. Garbage barrels will be placed throughout the fishing area. Use them! This is your resource: take care of it!

No motorized vehicles are allowed in the tournament area other than those of tournament officials, the handicapped, police and security personnel. Any participant bringing a motor vehicle within 100 yards of the contest perimeter may be disqualified.

The Departure Format on February 16, 2019 will be

The first 250 entries received will be referred to as Group 1. They will be allowed into the fishing area to choose their holes(s) at 8am.

Entry 251 to 500 will be referred to as Group 2. They will be allowed into the fishing area to choose their hole(s) at 9am

Entry 501 – 750 will be referred to as Group 3. They will be allowed into the fishing area to choose their hole(s) at 10am.

Entry 751 – 1,000 will be referred to as Group 4. They will be allowed into the fishing area at 10:30 am to choose their hole(s).

Upon registration at the event, each participant will have to sign a PARTICIPANT WAIVER.

All rules are subject to the interpretation of Simcoe County Home Builders’ Association Ice Fishing Tournament Executive Committee.

By entering the tournament, all participants declare having an understanding of all tournament rules and agree to abide by them.

Send Entries to the Simcoe County Home Builders’ Association Ice Fishing Tournament, P.O. Box 305 Barrie, ON L4M 4T5, along with a cheque or money order payable to Simcoe County Home Builders’ Association or use your VISA or MasterCard to register via website – www.icefishingbarrie.ca YOU DO NOT NEED A PAYPAL ACCOUNT TO REGISTER ONLINE!

** ABSOLUTELY NO REGISTRATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED BY PHONE. ONLINE OR MAIL IN ONLY**

After Feb. 9, 2019ONLY VISA/MasterCard will be accepted. On registration day, cash, MasterCard or Visa only will be accepted.

Prizes will be awarded as soon results have been tabulated. Prizes are listed at donor’s retail price. In order to collect your prize, you have to show your strap and your weigh receipt.

Participants are required to park in the provided areas. Watch for signs and obey them. Participants are encouraged to carpool due to limited parking.

To qualify, all fish must be registered or out of the water prior to the siren signaling the end of the contest. (Participants waiting in line to register their fish will be included.)

If we have to cancel due to ice conditions or inclement weather, the prizes will be drawn at the South Shore Community Centre, February 16th 2019 at 11:15am. Registered participants are not required to be in attendance to receive a prize; but arrangements for pick up MUST be made within 48 hours of being informed of prize won. Failure could result in loss of prize.

Reading and acceptance of these rules in their entirety is confirmed upon entry and/or a signing of the waiver.

Entry into this tournament confirms the approval for pictures to be taken and used for promotion without further approval.

Winner of the $1,000 cash prize draw (open to all participants) MUST BE IN ATTENDANCE to accept prize or another number will be drawn

Ready to sign up?

This year there will only be 1000 spots in the Ice Fishing Barrie Tournament, so be sure to sign up as soon as you can. Click the link below for more information about tournament prices and to register for your spot.